Angel funding in Ireland on the rise
Came across this interesting snippet in ENN (reporting on articles in the Indo):
The paper [The Irish Independent] also reports that Irish venture capital funds have raised EUR500 million in a recent round of fundraising for SMEs. A UCD study found that R&D expenditure in small and medium-size enterprises grew 25 percent in 2007, compared to an increase of 7 percent by other indigenous companies. “It is particularly noteworthy that funding by private investors grew from 4 percent of funds raised in 2007 to 22 percent in 2008,” said Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, at the launch of the study. “This means that the economy is now starting to benefit from ‘angel’ investors and successful entrepreneurs who can contribute experience as well as capital in helping to create Ireland’s next wave of successful high-tech firms.”